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Dearborn approves $483,000 state grant and ACCESS match to expand co-responder mental-health program
Summary
The council accepted a Michigan State Police community-based crisis response pilot grant of $483,000, with a $163,171 local match to be paid by ACCESS, to fund a co-responder program through Sept. 30, 2028.
The Dearborn City Council on Feb. 25, 2025, accepted a Michigan State Police community-based crisis response pilot grant of $483,000 and authorized the finance director to recognize and appropriate related revenues and expenditures. ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services) will provide a local match of $163,171, bringing total program funding recognized to $646,171.
Why it matters: The funding establishes a co-responder model in which law enforcement will partner with licensed mental-health professionals on noncriminal mental-health, substance-use and disability-related calls. The program is aimed at reducing incarcerations, emergency-room transports and uses of force, while ensuring culturally sensitive follow-up services.
City staff described the program during the meeting. The grant agreement runs through Sept. 30, 2028. Under the arrangement, a licensed master-level practitioner will accompany officers on eligible calls when available; a dedicated case manager will provide culturally informed follow-up services. Chief Shaheen (police chief) told the council the program has reduced arrests, emergency-room trips and uses of force in prior iterations and that officers now receive training from the mental-health professionals who participate.
Council members and staff emphasized that the co-responder model supplements — but does not replace — a police response. The chief said officers will respond to crises with a mental-health professional when available; if a clinician is not available in real time, a follow-up visit is arranged the next day. ACCESS representatives attended the meeting and were thanked for their partnership.
The finance director was authorized to recognize $646,171 in intergovernmental revenue (state and other) and appropriate $483,000 to the police administration public safety contractual services account. The resolution requested immediate effect.
What’s next: City staff will finalize contracting and operational details with ACCESS, hire or assign the grant-funded practitioner and case manager as scheduled, and comply with grant reporting through September 2028. The council recorded the measure as approved by unanimous roll.
Direct quotes from the meeting are attributed to listed speakers.
